3on3 Uni Championship Underway In Leon

FIBA Europe Head of Operations Miguel Betancor presents the special FIBA Europe 3on3 jersey at a press conference in Leon Wednesday

The Spanish 3on3 University championship tipped off on Thursday morning in Leon, Spain.

More than 30 men's and women's university teams will battle it out over two days for the honour to be named Spanish champions on Friday evening.

The real fun for Leon residents who want to be introduced to the latest basketball discipline though begins on Saturday, when the FIBA 3on3 open tournament gets underway.

FIBA Europe Head of Operations Miguel Betancor, University of Leon Dean José Angel Hermida, FEB Vice-President Carlos Sainz and local dignitaries presented the tournament to local media at a press conference in Leon on Wednesday.

"The future needs commitment," Mr Betancor said.

"That's why I would like to express my gratitude towards all the institutions that have supported this project, which will help in promoting the city of Leon, as well as culture and sport, which has to do with health in general."

The 3on3 tournament is open to both men's and women's teams and includes four age categories: Children, Cadets, Juniors and Seniors.

Registration is still open to everyone who wishes to take part and all participants will receive a special white and blue FIBA Europe 3on3 jersey as a gift.

The eight FIBA Europe 3on3 are already set up and, as always, the specialist FIBA Europe crew have put together stands, a fun zone for the younger spectators, a sound system with loudspeakers throughout and an elaborate light installation.

The latter will permit a lot of the crowd-pleasing parallel activities to take place after sunset with the University dunk contest being the first, Thursday at 21:30.